Friday had rolled around quite quickly for Geet where work was busy and helping the kids with their preparation for the plays had taken up much of her time at home.   This had kept Geet's mind occupied and distracted.   As much as her hectic life was a blessing, it turned out to be a curse for Geet early Friday morning as she had to be reminded by Kathy of the very important date.   It was Laura's birthday and the entire team had been invited out to dinner that night.

The birthday and the accompanying plans had completely slipped Geet's mind.   It was too late to back track now after she had agreed in the previous weeks.   Additionally, the entire team was going to be there along with Dr. Trevor and Marnie who were joining in on the festivities.

As much as she hated disappointing her kids and missing out on her limited time with them, Geet had no choice but to make alternative arrangements for Rohan and Maya with Nausheen.    As always, Nausheen was more than happy to have the little ones under her care to spoil, if that meant Geet would be participating in some adult activities.   When she was informed of this notion over the phone, Geet had annoyingly rolled her eyes while remaining silent.   After all, Amma was doing her a favour at the very last minute so the least she could do was bear Amma's teasing!

After assuring that all will be taken care of at home, the scramble had begun for Geet to find an appropriate card and gift for Laura.   So there went her lunch break as she traipsed through the mall and select boutique shops.   Sarah and Kathy had been of little help and had left her to flounder with her limited ideas.   She finally settled on a beautiful Grayson Tighe titanium roller ball pen.   Laura was a fan of fine and hand crafted items and Geet was sure that the pen would add to her valuable collection.

Now that most of her chores had been handled, all that remained was for Geet to change out of her work clothes and into something suitable for the evening out.   But she had limited time with all the back and forth driving that the trips would entail.   She had made up her mind to enlist the help of her family in her outfit selection process.   As a plus point, it would allow her to spend a few precious moments with her angels that evening.   Geet had already strategized on some time saving methods to ensure that she would reach punctually and appear presentable.

******************

During her drive to the restaurant, Geet recalled the amusement that the twins had caused while choosing her ensemble.   After some controversy, her family had agreed that Geet would look perfect in a vintage orange sleeveless midi dress.   She had paired the outfit with comfortable lace up nude heels and quickly refreshed her make up to create an effect that was acceptable for the night time.   She had received a score of 10 out of 10 from her audience followed by claps and even a short appreciative whistle from Amma.   Even now, she could not help but giggle thinking about their reactions.

After leaving her car with the valet attendant, Geet had entered the restaurant and was ushered towards a private room.   As she approached and took a look inside, she was slightly discomfited to see that there were few more people in attendance besides her work colleagues.   She did not realize that this was such a big event and was glad that she looked proper in her part.

Upon noticing Sarah, who was dressed for the event in a short navy blue lace cocktail dress with high heeled brown pumps in a snake skin print, Geet walked over to her to join in on the conversation.   Kathy had the same idea as Geet as she had selected a bright yellow zipped sweater set with black skinny pants and low heel black strappy sandals.   Rob looked dashing in his brown elbow patch corduroy blazer paired with a white collared shirt, dark navy jeans and his well worn Chelsea boots.   Geet was happy to spend some time informally with her team outside of the work setting.

Once the guests of honor had arrived, the party had come to life.   The reserved Laura looked beautiful in her green silk cheongsam dress with her sweet black Mary Jane shoes in suede.   As her companion and life partner, the warm Joel Chen with his charming attitude had ensured that all guests were welcomed and introductions had followed along with gift presentations.

As all of them took their seats on the elongated table, a distraught man rushed into the private banquet room.   After spotting the hosts of the dinner, he quickly made his way towards them shaking his head in a saddened manner:   "Joel, my man, I am so sorry.   I was delayed in Montreal due to the rain and could not get here on time.   You got my text though, right?    Nothing would keep me away from you guys this weekend.   By the way, how are you, gorgeous birthday girl?"

Having finished swapping pleasantries, the male host eased the intruder's agitation via a formal presentation by taking him around the table.   Geet was too engrossed in the conversation with her neighboring guests and had missed the intrusion.   In the middle of her conversation, Geet felt Sarah grab her forearm tightly and she was sure that Sarah's finger marks would appear for all to see on her delicate skin.   In alarm, Geet side mouthed quietly to Sarah:   "What's the matter?"

Without looking at Geet, Sarah's eyes remained glued to the intruder as she replied hesitatingly:   "Geet, don't freak out, okay?   But look who is here..."

Geet's eyes had followed Sarah's and the former had paled visibly.   Despite the warm atmosphere in terms of temperature and merriment, Geet's body felt frozen.   If given half the chance, she would have sprinted out of the room.   Sarah removed her gaze from the intruder to peer at Geet.   She worriedly spoke to her:   "Please sweetie, keep it together.   I know you can do this.   Show me that strong Geet that I adore.   Are you listening to me?"

There was no reaction from Geet until Sarah prodded the frozen being with her shoulder.   That movement jerked Geet out of her numb state and she looked at Sarah with a vacant stare as if she was a deer caught in the bright headlights of a speeding car.   Sarah again, tightened her hold on Geet's arm which seemed to bring Geet's attention back to the present.   No words were forthcoming out of Geet's mouth but she haltingly nodded her understanding.

The intruder was finally standing in front of Geet and Sarah across the table.   He was happily speaking with Joel and had not noticed the ladies yet.   As he turned to them with a smile, it was rapidly erased from his face and shock had taken its place.   He looked from one friend to the other closely as if making sure that this was really happening as the two friends sat side by side in joint commiseration.

Oblivious to the interactions occurring amongst his guests, Joel cheerfully thumped the intruder on his back and pronounced:   "Geet, Sarah, allow me to introduce you to my work colleague from Montreal.   This is my very good friend Jai Raheja.   And Jai this is Dr. Geet Raichand and Sarah Harris who are Laura's work colleagues at the hospital.   Umm...   Okay, hold on!    Jai, if you could excuse me for just a minute, Laura is asking me something from the other end of the table.   I will be right back, pal!"

As Joel left to answer Laura's queries, the three people kept looking at each other in silence.    None of them extended their hand nor did they utter a word.   The guests around them were too busy in their own world of entertainment to know what was occurring within this small group that had visible strain radiating from them.   Jai was the first to remove his gaze and look over to Joel but seeing him absorbed in conversation with Laura and possibly figuring that there was no way out, he broke the ice:   "How are you, Geet?   It has been a long time."

Again, Geet remained quiet while looking down at her fingers that were clasped tightly in her lap. However, Sarah could not refrain herself. Her eyebrows rose in surprise and she warningly delivered a response:   "It is not like you care Jai, so don't even bother."

The delivery and wording of the statement had brought Geet out of her stunned existence and she whispered to Sarah entreatingly:   "Please don't create a scene.   This is Laura's day!   Just remember that, please."

However, Sarah was far from backing out of this challenge and was only stopped from elaborating as Joel had joined Jai back; moving him to the next set of guests so that they would all get to know each other better.   This had put a significant kibosh to any possible discussions as well as any other contact since Jai was located a good distance away from the wronged party due to his late entry.

The evening passed without any other wrinkles and even the cake was being enjoyed by all.   The scrumptious food and the finest of wines were being shared and relished.   But Geet's appetite had sadly left her and had shown no signs of ever returning.   To calm her nerves, she had drunk more than she would have if she were in her senses and that too without partaking in any food.   She was definitely feeling the effects of the alcohol and forgot that she still had to drive back home.   Sarah had noticed the declining mood and pallor of her dear friend.

Finding a moment of peace, Sarah had gently pulled Geet aside to a hushed corner of the room and held her by the shoulders while inspecting Geet:   "Sweetie, I think we should say our goodbyes and I am going to drive you home.   I will stay the night so don't you worry."

Confusingly, Geet slightly slurred:   "But Sarah, what about your car?"

Sarah smiled sweetly as she rubbed Geet's shoulders soothingly:   "Even when she is tipsy, ladies and gentlemen, she cares about and is anxious for everyone.   Well, Geet, I came with Kathy, so I will just let her know that I am going to take you home.   Is that alright with you, your highness?"

Not understanding the joke, Geet nodded and spoke in a mellowed and dragged out fashion:   "Yes, that makes me feel sooooo much better.   You are such a gooooood friend."

Sarah knew the signs when Geet was very much a goner due to spirit consumption.   She would become extremely affectionate and spout unnecessary praises in a woozy way.   It was time to make a move and leave the party.   Sarah held on to Geet's shoulders in sideways hug and met up with Joel and Laura to take their leave.   The couple was thoughtful in expressing their apprehension but Sarah had waved them off.   She ensured all including Kathy and Rob that she was sober enough to drive Geet home.

***************

Sarah had stood close near Geet as they waited in the parking lot for the valet personnel to return with Geet's car.   Sarah was glad that Geet required limited assistance for walking and standing as her stance was quite stable.   The cool evening breeze had a soothing effect on Geet's over active mind and was helping to calm her emotions.   Sarah knew that a discussion of what happened in the private banquet room was out of the question since Geet was nowhere near coherent.   Sarah's own emotions were tumbled at best and the timing and place were all wrong.   A third companion named silence had descended on the close friends leaving each of them in a contemplative state.

The muffled sounds of rushing footsteps could be heard on the pavement and became louder as they neared Geet and Sarah.   Not expecting anyone from the restaurant to meet up with them, both of the ladies did not pay any particular heed to the disturbance until it addressed them in an understated manner:   "Geet, I think we should talk.   Whatever happened was in the past and so long ago.   Just hear me out."

Geet recognized that distinct voice that once upon a time had sent shivers of nerve tingling pleasure down her spine, but at this moment that voice only grated on those same nerves.    Adjusting herself in an unaffected and as much of a haughty stance as she could muster, she turned and faced Jai.   She gave him the once over without acknowledging his words and then dismissed him as if he was not even there.

She then turned in the opposite direction towards Sarah and spoke to her in a sarcastic way, and for those who knew Geet well, it was how she concealed her hurt:   "Look who joined us, Sarah?   My ex-boyfriend who I was engaged to!   Oh wait, I misspoke, he is my ex-fiancé. You remember Jai, don't you, Sarah?   He is the same guy who thought it would be okay to cheat on me.   Well, guess what, Jai, it was not okay then and it is not okay with me now.   I don't want to talk to you.   Do you want to talk him, Sarah?"

Anger had made its home on Sarah's delicate features as she held Geet's hand in hers supportively and spoke in a grating voice:   "What do you want Jai?   You didn't care to talk to her five years ago.   Believe me, she needed you the most and you were glaringly absent.      So what do you want now?   It is all water under the bridge anyways."

The words had struck Jai hard and he looked ashamed.   He was quietly mulling something over and then he finally spoke again clearly:   "Geet, please listen to me.   I never meant for anything to happen.   I just want a chance to --"

The blessed sound of Geet's approaching Cadillac Escalade had saved her the need for responding as her ultimate wish was to leave and never see this person again.   Sarah had looked at Jai with much loathing and had walked with Geet hand in hand towards the car.   They waited for the valet to jump out of the driver seat and open the door on the passenger side for Geet to climb in.   Ensuring that Geet was safely ensconced in the security of the car, Sarah walked over to the driver side and went about making the needed adjustments while locking the doors.   Jai had remained indecisive as to his next move and by the time he came to a certain judgment, the car had long pulled away from the parking area.   The only visible remnants were those of the fading red brake lights that disappeared into the darkness of the streets.

********************

Author's Note:

Welcome to the weekly update! Thank you to all the READERS who commented, voted, messaged, and/or silently viewed this story. All that you do encourages me as a writer!

So how was it?

Were you expecting this type of an occurrence?

Any thoughts or predictions about Geet's past? A couple of upcoming chapters will enlighten you!

And don't worry, Maan is waiting in the wings and will be back soon along with his devious best friend Nikhil!

"Unknown Bond" has just been recognized along with 20 other talented authors for the Genre Winner Round of the Earnesty Writer's Awards 2017 (earnestycommunity)!   Thank you to the organizers and judges for the selection!   Good luck to all the authors in the category for the next round!

So the book contest here remains on-going!   There are still many chapters left where you can guess the emotion, feeling or incidence as it relates to mental health.   Make your guesses!   If correct, I will read the first chapter of your book and provide comments along with a shout out of your winning guess on my conversation board.

Also, Arohi and Arjun are back by popular demand in the Short N Sweet Stories.   There will also be another addition this week featuring the couple!

Please share your views and comments because they mean the most.   And if you enjoyed or liked the chapter, feel free to show your affection by clicking on the little star!   Until next time...